Florida Commissioner of Agriculture: A voter's guide to the 2022 primary election
Basic info
Type of race: Partisan
Who can vote: Voters registered as a member in the Democratic or Republican party can participate in their party's primary.
What's next: The winners of each primary will face each other in the November election to be the next Florida Commissioner of Agriculture.
How much does position pay: $128,972
Campaign coverage
DeSantis vetoes lawsuit measure, siding with local governments over ally Wilton Simpson
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announces campaign for governor
Candidates
Naomi Esther Blemur
Party: Democratic
Age: Did not respond.
Profession: Minister, non-profit manager, businesswoman.
Qualifications: Graduate City University of New York, and has served as a member of the North Miami Commission for Women, North Miami Planning Commission, and the North Miami Community Redevelopment Advisory Committee.
Website: linktr.ee/naomiforfl
Q: What qualities do you possess that will make you an effective Commissioner of Agriculture?
A. Blemur did not respond. At her campaign website she tells voters, "Whether through my consulting firm, my non-profit organization, or community engagement – I am present, always serving, and challenging the process when necessary; albeit not without my own challenges."
And July 21 she tweeted, "I am the only candidate not creating arts and crafts, emails, websites and fake social media pages to bash and or smear my opponents. I am FOCUSED on campaigning to win against my Republican opponent in November."
Q: If elected what is the one thing that you want to accomplish as Commissioner of Agriculture?
Blemur did not respond. In a Facebook post Blemur said, "We need a voice in the Cabinet who understands the need of the 22 million Floridians. Someone who came in the race understanding the fight is for the environment, for the second economic driver of our state (Agriculture) and for the people!"
J. R. Gaillot
Party: Democratic
Age: 53
Profession: International Relations and Policy Consultant
Qualifications: A graduate of the University of Hartford, and a seasoned political consultant and digital organizer, I have in-depth knowledge on the policy issues that matter most to voters.
Website: jrgaillot.com
Q: What qualities do you possess that will make you an effective Commissioner of Agriculture?
A: I have real political experience at all levels of politics, a distinct and detailed policy platform, and a personal connection to the issues I support. I won’t be silenced by money or power. I’ve identified specific Florida statutes that grant me the ability to accomplish a vast range of policy issues. As a former crisis manager, I’m skilled in assessing states of crisis and implementing solutions. Florida’s affordability crisis is no different.
Q: If elected what is the one thing that you want to accomplish as Commissioner of Agriculture?
A: My focus is on fixing the affordability crisis in Florida, which includes rent, food, and gas prices. I’m tackling everything that prevents Floridians from living a quality life. I’m running to be a strong voice for consumer protections, which ranges from environmental justice and gun violence prevention to prescription drug access and access to feminine products.
Ryan Morales
Party: Democratic
Age: 45
Profession: Business consultant and farmer
Qualifications: A graduate of the Institute of Audio Research, a cybersecurity and internet development specialist since 1987, and the former CMO for a wire fraud prevention firm.
Website: ryanforflorida.com
Q: What qualities do you possess that will make you an effective Commissioner of Agriculture?
A: As a business consultant, efficiency is key to the game as well as making sure that we work within our budgets and get the most out of our budgets. So for me, it's basically running the ship like a business; making sure that we're doing things like a business and not like, a little boys club, like I've seen happen for too long. My goal will be to basically streamline and make the place much more efficient, and really much more transparent. That way, there's no corruption.
Q: If elected what is the one thing that you want to accomplish as Commissioner of Agriculture?
A: Clean water, and saving the Everglades. Basically, restoring the Everglades. And, in order to do that we’ve got to clean up our waters, Lake Okeechobee and all that. And we’ve got to stop the sugar burn. I have access to some pretty cool technology coming in from the Pacific to help us clean up stuff.
James Shaw
Party: Republican
Age: 62
Profession: Transportation executive
Qualifications: Former manager of a 600-man Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, trucking facility, owner of three Auntie Ann Pretzel shops and a 30-acre compost facility.
Website: votejim.us
Q: What qualities do you possess that will make you an effective Commissioner of Agriculture?
A: The position of Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services manages 300 different commodities and over 18 departments. It needs a seasoned manager that knows how to prioritize issues, pinpoint problems and manage people to find solutions... In Florida's case this department needs an individual who realizes the dire situation our country is in and at all costs will defend and protect Florida against any agenda domestic or foreign. The federal government, the United Nations, or any other organization will not hold Florida land, water, crops, cattle, etc. hostage. We have a great state and the Agricultural commissioner, working in agreement with Gov. DeSantis plan to keep it that way.
Q: If elected what is the one thing that you want to accomplish as Commissioner of Agriculture?
A: Water and Land must be protected at all costs. As Floridians we can never forget just how important agriculture, land and water is. We can not eat, gold or silver, 401k's, paper currency, stocks, bonds, houses or cars etc. The item that is most important is sometimes the most overlooked. We need food o survive. As Commissioner of Agriculture I will always remember the value of our land and water. We cannot let poor decisions, poor management or at the worst corruption, come between the the citizens of our great state of Florida and its Land and water
Wilton Simpson
Party: Republican
Age: 56
Profession: Egg farmer, businessman, state senator 2012-2022.
Qualifications: Graduate of Pasco-Hernando Community College, businessman, state senator, and President of Florida Senate, 2000-2022.
Website: wiltonsimpson.com
Q: What qualities do you possess that will make you an effective Commissioner of Agriculture?
A: Simpson did not respond. His campaign website publishes this endorsement from former President Donald Trump. "Most politicians are show ponies, but conservative Wilton Simpson is a work horse. That’s why Wilton is the only candidate for Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture with the complete and total endorsement of President Donald Trump."
Q: If elected what is the one thing that you want to accomplish as Commissioner of Agriculture?
A: Simpson did not respond. His campaign website under a Free Florida banner includes the statement, "Floridians are fed up with ineffective politicians in Washington, corporate media in New York and billionaire liberals in California telling them what to do, how to feel and what to think. Wilton Simpson and Florida Conservatives have fought vaccine mandates, protected parental choice and ensured election integrity in our state, because Floridians will not be cancelled by elitist socialists."
James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on him Twitter: @CallTallahassee
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Election 2022: Florida Commissioner of Agriculture: A voter's guide
